EP0511891B1 - Connector for the quick coupling of a tube - Google Patents

Abstract

Element (1) for rapid connection between a flexible pipe (2), for example made of rubber, and a tube (7) made from a rigid material, such as metal, or a semi-rigid material such as a plastic. It consists of a set of two internal and external sockets (1a-1b) clamped around the pipe, whilst a housing (3) for an "O"-ring seal (4) is provided on the inside surface of the internal socket (1a) and is closed, towards the outside in the axial direction, by an annular radial wall (5) separate from the internal socket. Additional means for axially immobilising the tube in the element comprise a split ring (9) constituting a stop for a shoulder (7c) situated at the end of an annular ramp (7a) of the tube. The internal radial face of the annular housing (8) consists of a radial portion (10c) of a socket (10), separate from the connection element and connected into the latter. <IMAGE>

Description

Already known from patent EP-A-410 842, which has the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1, a fast connection element between a flexible hose, for example rubber, and a tube made of rigid material, such as metal, or semi-rigid, such as a plastic material. Such a connection element consists of a set of two coaxial sockets, internal and external, defining between them an annular space comprising a closure member at one of its ends. This member is itself linked to a substantially cylindrical sleeve whose free end defines the entry of the element, while said sockets are capable of enclosing the end of a pipe.

Before the fitting of the tube into the entry of the element, an O-ring seal is located in a sort of housing provided on the inner face of the internal sleeve.

On the other hand, means are provided on the sleeve of the element to ensure the axial immobilization of the tube by cooperating with a radial shoulder of the latter, placed at an appropriate distance from its free end.

Also known from patent EP-A-440,564 which is state of the art according to Article 54 (3) EPC, a quick connection element of the kind in question. There is however, in this case, a real housing for the seal formed in the internal bushing and this housing is closed, on the entry side of the connection element, by an annular radial wall separate from the internal bushing. and attached to it.

The structure of such a connection element makes its manufacture particularly economical, since it can be produced by means of suitably stamped thin metal sheets, the fixing of the various members being generally ensured by simple crimps.

When the tube to be fitted into the connection element has a small diameter, it is often advantageous to shape the area to be fitted so that it successively comprises, from the end of the tube, on the one hand, a cylindrical portion intended to come into contact with the seal of the connection element, otherwise hand, an annular ramp ending in a radial shoulder capable of constituting a stop cooperating with the locking means provided on the connection element.

This is already known, in particular from published application DE-A-2,948,560 or from US-A-4,460,534, a quick connection element in which the locking means provided on said element include a split ring, elastically deformable in the radial direction. Such a ring is disposed in an annular housing whose radial faces, internal and external, constitute axial stops for said ring, thus limiting its possibilities of axial displacement. After introduction of the tube into the connection element, the split ring constitutes a stop for the shoulder of the tube and thus ensures the axial immobilization of the latter.

However, the embodiments proposed by the two aforementioned documents are not directly applicable to the technique of manufacturing the connection element described by patent EP-A-440,564. They indeed require a solid part in which is formed, by machining, the annular housing of the split ring.

The subject of the invention is therefore a connection element capable of being manufactured according to the advantageous technique set out in patent EP-A-440,564 while allowing the fitting of a tube capable of being immobilized axially by means complementary to the type of those described by documents DE-A-2,948,560 or US-A-4,460,534.

The connection element according to the invention then comprises the provisions appearing in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Thanks to these provisions, the manufacture of a connection element requires only simple and inexpensive operations while leading to light embodiments.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un élément de connexion selon l'invention, après raccordement du tube qu'il est destiné à recevoir
• La figure 2 est une coupe suivant II-II de la figure 1
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'une variante avantageuse de la bague fendue, susceptible d'être montée sur l'élément de connexion selon la figure 1
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe d'une variante de réalisation de l'élément de connexion représenté sur la figure 1
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la bague fendue utilisée sur l'élément de connexion selon la figure 4
• La figure 6 est une coupe selon VI-VI de la figure 4
• La figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 6 dans le cas d'une variante de réalisation de la douille
• La figure 8 est une vue partielle suivant la flèche F de la figure 7

The invention will be better understood and various secondary characteristics as well as its advantages will become apparent during the description which follows of exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a connection element according to the invention, after connection of the tube which it is intended to receive
• Figure 2 is a section along II-II of Figure 1
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of an advantageous variant of the split ring, capable of being mounted on the connection element according to Figure 1
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the connection element shown in Figure 1
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the split ring used on the connection element according to Figure 4
• Figure 6 is a section along VI-VI of Figure 4
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 in the case of an alternative embodiment of the sleeve
• Figure 8 is a partial view along arrow F of Figure 7

If we refer first to Figures 1 and 2, we see a connection element, designated by the general reference 1 , mounted at the end of the flexible pipe 2 according to the technique set out in document EP-A- 440,564.

In the example shown, the internal sleeve 1 a of the connection element receives, in an annular housing 3 , at least one O-ring 4 . An annular radial wall 5 is fixed both to the internal sleeve 1 a and to the external sleeve 1 b and to the sleeve 6 by means of suitable crimps which have been described in the aforementioned document.

The connection element is intended, under conditions which will be specified, to allow rapid connection of a tube 7 , itself capable of being made of various materials, for example a rigid material, such as metal, or semi-rigid such as plastic.

Obviously, the connection element 1 has, from its inlet end 6 a for the tube 7 , a bore whose diameter is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube 7 , at least over a substantial portion of its length. . As seen in Figure 1, the bore extends from the inlet end 6 to the inner sleeve 1a.

From the inlet end 6 a there is successively an annular housing 8 , in which a split ring 9 is immobilized axially, on the other hand, a bush 10 whose axial end furthest from the inlet 6 a constitutes the radial wall 5 mentioned above. These elements constitute the means of axial immobilization of the tube 7 and they will now be described in detail.

In the example shown, the socket 10 is constituted by a solid piece, attached to the internal socket 1 a of the connection element. It has a cylindrical portion 10 a whose internal diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the tube 7 . On the side of the inlet orifice 6 a , the sleeve 10 however has a flared frustoconical portion 10 b , the end 10 c of which constitutes the internal radial face of the annular housing 8 . The latter is also delimited by the cylindrical sleeve 6 , the shoulder 6 b of which constitutes the external radial face of the housing 8 .

Between the two radial faces 10 c and 6 b of the housing 8 is the split ring 9 , which, as can be seen in FIG. 1, can be constituted by a ring of wire made of "spring steel". In the free state, the diameter of the ring 9 is at most equal and preferably slightly less than the diameter of the tube 7 . The two edges of the slot provided in the ring are each provided with a radial tab 9 a projecting outside the housing 8 through an opening 6 c formed in the wall of the sleeve 6 . On the other hand, as can be seen in Figure 2, the ring 9 has two ribs 9 d projecting radially outward from the ring. While leaving the possibility of the ring to expand radially in its housing 8 , these ribs facilitate centering for reasons which will appear later.

An advantageous variant of the split ring 9 will be described later, with reference to FIG. 3.

The tube 7 has, in known manner, an annular ramp 7 a , located at an appropriate distance from its end 7 b , in practice substantially less than the length of the bore of the connection element between its inlet 6 a and l end 1 c of the inner sleeve 1 a . The side opposite to the end 7b, the ramp 7a constitutes a radial shoulder 7c on the outer tube wall.

The ramp 7 a , which forms a frustoconical portion of the tube, can be obtained, as shown, by a suitable deformation of the wall of the tube 7 at the time of its manufacture or, on the contrary, be constituted by an added element and fixed to the tube, for example by gluing or any other similar means.

As seen in Figure 1, the tube 7 has a slight bulge 7 d , located beyond the ramp 7 a , this bulge is preferably provided in the case where the tube 7 has a relatively small diameter. The maximum diameter of the bulge 7 b is substantially equal to the maximum diameter of the ramp 7 a .

The connection of the tube 7 in the element is carried out as follows. It suffices to fit the end 7 b of the tube and the cylindrical part which follows it into the inlet 6 a of the element. The tube first enters the bore portion formed by the sleeve 6 , then crosses the split ring 9 , causing, if necessary, a slight radial extension thereof. The tube then crushes the joint (s) 4 and finally reaches the end zone of the internal sleeve 1 a . As already indicated, the length of the cylindrical part of the tube along its end 7b does not need to be defined precisely provided that this end is not likely to exceed or even reach l end 1 c of the inner sleeve 1 a .

In fact, in the final phase of fitting the tube 7 , the ramp 7 has reached the ring 9 and causes it to expand radially in the housing 8 . When the shoulder 7 c has itself exceeded the ring 9 , the latter retracts elastically to form an axial stop for the shoulder 7 c . The ring 9 being immobilized between the radial faces 6 b and 10 c of the housing 8, the tube 7 is itself axially fixed in connection element 1 . The frustoconical portion 10b of the sleeve 10 allows, after axial locking of the tube, to receive the ramp 7a and possibly constitutes an axial stop for the tube, in the direction of the fitting.

Finally, it will be emphasized that, in the case where it exists, the bulge 7 d of the tube 7 improves, if necessary, the centering of the tube in the element and, consequently, the resistance of the connection with respect to the vibrations to which tube 7 can be submitted.

If one wishes to dismantle the connection and extract the tube 7 from its element, it suffices, using a tool such as a screwdriver, to spread the radial lugs 9 a from the ring 9 to cause its expansion radial. As soon as the inner diameter of the ring is greater than that of the shoulder 7 c , the tube can easily be extracted from the connection element.

Referring now to Figure 3, we see a variant of the split ring described above. It can advantageously replace the latter, practically without any modification of the structure and dimensions of the housing 8 . The elements already described will bear the same references increased by 10.

In this variant the ring 19 is constituted by a thin sheet, of frustoconical shape, preferably corresponding to that of the ramp 7 in the tube. The diameter of the small base 19b is, in the free state of the ring, at most equal and preferably slightly less than that of the tube 7 . On the other hand, under the same conditions, the diameter of the large base 19 c is at least equal to the diameter of the tube 7 and this large base is located, in the housing 8 , on the side of the inlet 6 a of the element of connection.

To facilitate centering of the ring in the housing 8 there is provided one or more longitudinal ribs 19 d , stamped in the frustoconical wall of the ring. These ribs, of substantially cylindrical shape, radially project on the outer wall of the ring, significantly on the side of the small base 19b .

Preferably, the axial length of the ring 19 corresponds to that of the housing 8 so that only the scalloped ends of the radial lugs 19 a pass through the opening 6 c and protrude outside the sleeve 6 .

The installation and disassembly of the tube 7 is carried out as described above, the locking of the tube being ensured by the support of the shoulder 7 c of the tube on the small base 19 b of the ring 19 . To this end, it will be advantageous for the longitudinal edge 19 e of the ribs 19 d to be slightly set back relative to the plane of the small base 19 b of the ring.

If we finally refer to Figures 4 to 6 we see an alternative embodiment of the connection element according to the invention. The elements already described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 bear the same references increased by 20.

The connection element 21 comprises the internal sockets 21 a and external 21 b assembled by crimping, on the one hand, to the radial wall 25 closing the housing 23 of the seals 24 , on the other hand, to the cylindrical sleeve 26 , the end 26 a , constitutes the entrance to the bore of the element.

The sleeve 30 is here independent of the wall 25 . It is reduced in fact to a thin sleeve, comprising a cylindrical portion 30 a and a frustoconical portion 30 b . The latter is extended, beyond its end 30 c , by a plurality of radially flexible tabs 30 d .

The split ring 29 is itself disposed around the legs 30 d which it encloses and, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, has longitudinal ribs 29 d intended to facilitate its centering in the housing 28 as well as we have already indicated it above.

In the case of the embodiment visible in Figures 5 and 6, the tabs 30 d extend longitudinally to the vicinity of the inlet 26 a of the connection element. The slots formed between two contiguous legs preferably extend towards the inside of the element, at least over part of the frustoconical portion 30 b , possibly as far as the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 30 a of the socket 30 .

In the case of the variant visible in Figures 7 and 8 (the elements of Figures 4 to 6 already described have the same references increased by 10) the legs 40 d are substantially helical as are the slots which separate two adjoining legs. Again, it will be preferred that the slots extend over at least a portion of the frustoconical portion 40 of the sleeve 40.

The establishment of the tube 27 is carried out in a manner completely similar to that which has been described above.

The end 27 b of the tube and the cylindrical part which follows it penetrate into the bore constituted by the lugs 30 d , the cylindrical portion 30 a of the sleeve 30 and the end region of the internal sleeve 21 a .

After the ramp 27 a of the tube has reached the inlet 26 a , it spreads the legs 30 d radially against the clamping force exerted on them by the split ring 29 . When the shoulder 27 c of the tube has exceeded the end 30 c of the frustoconical portion 30 b of the sleeve, the tabs 30 d come back into contact with the tube and the ring 29 tightens, thus constituting the axial immobilization stop of the tube.

For disassembly, it is also advisable, using a tool, to separate the tabs 29 a from the ring so that its diameter increases sufficiently to allow not only the shoulder 27 c and the ramp 27 a to pass through. , but also the sleeve 30 which is driven by them, at the time of the extraction of the tube.

The connection element is nevertheless reusable. In some cases it is preferable to separate the socket 30 from the tube 27 and replace the socket inside the connection element in the position shown in FIG. 4. The tube can then be again locked in the connection element.

In other cases, it is possible to introduce, directly into the connection element, the tube 27 on which the sleeve 30 will have remained mounted, the ring 29 then allowing, by its radial expansion, the passage of the assembly.

In the case where the independent socket 40 has the structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, assembly and disassembly are carried out in the manner just indicated. However, a particular advantage of the embodiment of this socket will be emphasized.

It is indeed frequent that the manufacture of the tubes intended to be fitted into the connection elements of the type in question leaves irregularities on the external surface of the tube, for example, small projecting ribs such as those designated by the reference 37 d in Figure 8. Such roughness may be detrimental to the tightness of the connection, because they "injure" the seals 24 , both during the fitting of the tube and due to the vibratory movements to which the tube can be submitted in service.

Thanks to the presence, on the legs 40 d of edges 40 e coming into contact with the external surface of the tube (they are left as "sharp" as possible during the manufacture of the sleeve 40 ), any roughness of the tube in the region located between its end 37 b and the ramp 37 a are removed by deburring during the positioning of the tube. Thus the cylindrical surface which comes into contact with the seals is perfectly smooth and the tightness of the connection is improved.

Claims (3)

1. Connection element constituted by an assembly of two bushes (1a-1b; 21a-21b), an inner bush and an outer bush, defining between them an annular space closed at one of its ends, which end is joined to a substantially cylindrical sleeve (6-26) of which the free end defines the inlet (6a-26a) of the element, said bushes being adapted to grip the end of a supple hosepipe, while a housing (3, 23) comprising an O-ring (4, 24) is provided on the inner face of the inner bush (1a, 21a) and while means provided on the sleeve of the connection element are adapted to ensure the axial immobilization of a rigid or semi-rigid tube, by cooperating with a radial shoulder of the tube situated on the end of an annular ramp of the tube, which ramp is placed at a suitable distance from the free end of the tube, characterized in that said immobilization means comprise a ring (9, 29), axially split and elastically deformable in radial direction, which ring is disposed in an annular housing (8, 28) of the connection element (1, 21) and constitutes a radial stop for the shoulder of the tube, once this has been introduced into the connection element, and in that the radial face of said annular housing (8, 28) most remote from the inlet (6a, 26a) of the element, is constituted by a radial portion (10c, 30c) of a bush (10, 30), which is separate from the connection element and fixed thereon, said bush (10, 30) having, on the one hand, a cylindrical portion (10a, 30a) of which the radial end, which is most remote from the inlet of said element, forms an annular radial wall (5) or is in abutment against an annular radial wall (25), separate from the inner bush and fixed thereto, said radial wall closing the housing which comprises the O-ring, at its end situated on the side of the inlet of the element, and on the other hand, a truncated portion (10b, 30b) which is flared with respect to the cylindrical portion, and against which an annular ramp (7a, 27a) of the tube can abut.
2. Connection element according to claim 1, characterized in that the radial portion (30c) of the bush (30) constituting a radial face of the housing (28), is extended beyond the truncated portion (30b) towards the inlet (26a) of the element, by a plurality of radially flexible longitudinal lugs (30d), which are tightened by the split ring (29).
3. Connection element according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible lugs (40d) are inclined with respect to the axis of the element and in that one at least of their edges presents a sharp edge (40e) capable of coming into contact with the outer surface of the tube.

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